Are you moving to Switzerland? One of the most essential steps in relocating to a new country is understanding the local healthcare system and securing the right health insurance for you and your family. How does the Swiss healthcare system work, and what are your options as an expatriate or a worker on a local contract? Find out in this article.
Overview of the Swiss health system
The Swiss health system is known for its exceptional quality, driven by highly skilled professionals and cutting-edge facilities.
Switzerland's strong reputation in medical research further elevates the standard of care, and the country offers a wide range of high-quality services.
Healthcare access is also excellent, with a high density of doctors and hospitals, although there are some staff shortages.
According to the Swiss Medical Association (FMH), there are 4.6 doctors per 1,000 residents, slightly above the OECD average.
Recent data from the Swiss Federal Statistical Office (SFSO) indicates that 19,004 doctors work in surgeries and outpatient centers nationwide.
Switzerland is home to 278 hospitals, with 36.3% general hospitals and 63.7% specialized clinics.
Here are a few key tools to help you find a doctor or hospital during your stay in Switzerland:
Compulsory and supplementary health insurance in Switzerland
Basic health insurance is compulsory in Switzerland.
Compulsory health insurance
In Switzerland, you can choose your health insurance provider from those operating in your canton.
There are around 50 approved health insurance providers in the country, and each year, the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (SFOPH) publishes a list of authorized providers, which you can view here.
Insurers must accept anyone who needs coverage and cannot discriminate based on age or pre-existing health conditions.
Good to know:
You must obtain health insurance within three months of arriving in Switzerland. If you miss the deadline, you could face additional costs, and any prior medical expenses won't be reimbursed.
Supplementary health insurance in Switzerland
This includes special options like semi-private or private hospital care, as well as additional services such as naturopathy, osteopathy, and dental treatment.
Premiums are determined by the level of risk the insured person poses to the insurer. The insurer may decline coverage or impose restrictions.
For more details on supplementary insurance in Switzerland, please visit this FOPH page.
What does compulsory insurance cover in Switzerland?
Medical care
Compulsory insurance covers all treatments provided by a doctor. However, for certain procedures, the doctor must inform the patient whether the service is covered and to what extent.
Treatments by other health specialists, when prescribed by a doctor, are also reimbursed under compulsory health insurance. This includes physiotherapy, dietary consultations, speech therapy, occupational therapy, neuropsychology, podiatry, and more. You can get a detailed list from your insurer or the Cantonal Health Office.
Medical exams ordered by your doctor, such as blood tests and radiological exams, are also reimbursed.
Complementary medicine is covered if it is provided by a doctor with specialist certification and postgraduate training in the relevant field. This includes acupuncture, pharmacotherapy, traditional Chinese medicine, homeopathy, and phytotherapy.
Hospitalization costs
Hospitalization costs are covered by your compulsory health insurance, but you must choose a hospital from the approved list in your canton of residence. If you seek treatment in another canton, the hospital must also be on that approved list.
You can obtain a list of eligible hospitals from your insurer or the cantonal health authority.
If you're admitted to a hospital that is not on the approved list for your canton, or if it isn't listed at all, your treatment and accommodation costs will only be reimbursed up to the rate of a hospital that is on the approved list in your canton.
In a medical emergency, compulsory insurance will cover the costs at any hospital, but any additional costs for private hospitalization will be your responsibility unless you have supplemental insurance that covers this service.
Preventive care
The following preventive measures are reimbursed by compulsory health insurance:
- Compulsory vaccinations;
- Health check-ups for preschool children;
- Gynecological check-ups (for the first two years, one annual check-up is covered, then one every three years if the results of the first two annual check-ups were normal);
- Breast cancer screening mammograms are recommended for women at moderate or high risk of breast cancer (due to family history). Additionally, women over 50 should have a screening mammogram every two years if it's part of a cantonal or regional breast cancer screening program;
- Colon cancer screening for people aged between 50 and 69 (stool analysis every two years and colonoscopy in the event of a positive result, or one colonoscopy every 10 years).
If your doctor suspects an illness, they can provide the necessary care without being limited by the conditions for preventive services. These treatments will be covered by your health insurance.
Maternity
During pregnancy in Switzerland, routine check-ups and two ultrasounds are covered.
Childbirth costs are reimbursed if the delivery occurs in a hospital approved by your canton of residence.
After delivery, a check-up between the 6th and 10th week is covered, along with breastfeeding advice sessions provided by a midwife or nurse with specialized training.
Other treatments
Glasses and contact lenses: Young people up to 18 receive an annual contribution of CHF 180 for glasses and contact lenses prescribed by an ophthalmologist.
Dental care benefits: General dental care is not covered by compulsory insurance. It only covers dental treatment if it's due to a serious disease of the chewing system or related to a general health condition. For treatments like cavities or scaling, you'll need supplementary insurance.
Physiotherapy: Physiotherapy sessions are covered if prescribed by a doctor and performed by a registered physiotherapist. A doctor can prescribe up to 9 sessions, with the option to extend treatment if necessary.
Medication: Drugs prescribed by your doctor that are listed on the "list of specialties" are reimbursed. You can find these lists on the FOPH website. There are both original and generic preparations, with generics typically costing less.
Costs of compulsory health insurance in Switzerland
The insurance provider determines the contributions that policyholders must pay. Unless the law states otherwise, all policyholders are charged the same contribution. However, your place of residence affects the amount, as contributions are based on cantonal cost differences.
You will also have to contribute to the cost of the benefits you receive on the following basis:
- A deductible (approx. CHF 300 per year);
- A co-payment (10% on costs exceeding the deductible, up to a maximum of 700 francs);
- A contribution towards the cost of hospital stays (15 francs per day).
Here's an example: if you spend CHF 2,000 on medical expenses for the year (doctor, hospital, etc.), you'll pay a deductible of CHF 300 and a co-payment of 10% on the remaining CHF 1,700. This totals CHF 470 (CHF 300 + 10% of CHF 1,700 = CHF 470). Your insurer will reimburse CHF 1,530 of the CHF 2,000.
You can estimate the cost of compulsory health insurance for your canton using the contribution calculator on the official FOPH website. For instance, in the canton of Zurich, the monthly cost for compulsory insurance ranges from CHF 400 to CHF 600, depending on the insurer.
What health insurance is required for foreign workers in Switzerland?
In Switzerland, health insurance is mandatory for everyone, including foreign nationals residing in the country.
Having an expatriate contract in Switzerland
Standard expatriate contracts often include international health insurance. There are various options available, and your employer will likely provide details about the specific plan they offer.
These international health insurance plans usually offer comprehensive coverage and expense reimbursement. However, it's important to review the terms and conditions carefully to understand exactly what is covered and to what extent.
This type of insurance typically covers your medical care both in the host country and globally.
To get an idea of costs and benefits, you can use online comparison tools to run a simulation.
Some of the leading international health insurance providers include:
Having a local contract in Switzerland
If you're working in Switzerland on a local contract, you'll be covered by the Swiss health insurance system and must meet the compulsory insurance requirements outlined earlier.
If you have any issues with the insurance process, ask your employer for help.
Cross-border workers in Switzerland
If you live abroad but work in Switzerland, you generally need Swiss health insurance.
However, if you live in one of the countries bordering Switzerland's (Germany, Austria, France, or Italy), you might be able to get insurance in your home country instead due to agreements with these countries.
If you prefer not to have Swiss insurance, you must apply for an exemption within three months of starting your job. This application should be submitted to the relevant authority in the canton where you work. The required documents can be found on the FOPH website.
If you are a cross-border worker from a non-EU country, the European Free Trade Association, or the United Kingdom, you and your family will need Swiss insurance upon request. You must apply within three months of your work permit's start date.
Emergency numbers in Switzerland
112 for international emergency service.
144 for ambulance service.
118 for the fire department.
117 for the police.
147 for the emergency hotline for children and teenagers.
Useful links:
Federal Office of Public Health
We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.
